Concealed carry at the post office

[theicemanmpls]

Does anyone know if State legal carry of a firearm is legal under federal law, or USPS rules within a post office?

Some post offices have a sign. Some don't.

There was some comments on another thread regarding this.

The post office sign says you can carry, if you are there on official business. Mailing a package may be official business. It may not be official enough.


The other part I didn't understand, was violation of the sign, might be violation of a rule, or violation of a federal law.

Penalty for the former is a small fine, the later, imprisonment.

I was thinking how easy it would be to forget I was "heavy" and walk into the post office. A federal felony is not a good idea.

I know that postal workers are prohibited from having firearms. A few years ago, a few troubled individuals went "postal".

[Red Hat]

This subject has been debated for years. In SC according to the Palmetto Gun Club SLED told them that CC in a Post Office is OK as long as you don't go behind the counter. See half way down on page 6 under CWP COURSE NEWS/NRA COACH SCHOOL http://www.palmettogunclub.org/nwslt...09Bullseye.pdf There is still no clear cut ruling on this.



See Code of Federal Regulations Title 36, Chapter 1, Section 232.1

(l) Weapons and explosives . Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation, no person while on postal property may carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for official purposes.

...

(p) Penalties and other law. (1) Alleged violations of these rules and regulations are heard, and the penalties prescribed herein are imposed, either in a Federal district court or by a Federal magistrate in accordance with applicable court rules. Questions regarding such rules should be directed to the regional counsel for the region involved.

(2) Whoever shall be found guilty of violating the rules and regulations in this section while on property under the charge and control of the Postal Service is subject to fine of not more than $50 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both. Nothing contained in these rules and regulations shall be construed to abrogate any other Federal laws or regulations of any State and local laws and regulations applicable to any area in which the property is situated.

[Tucker's Mom]

One post orifice guy said that if you conceal and carry, no one will notice anyway, so why not???

[Unfettered Might]

One post orifice guy said that if you conceal and carry, no one will notice anyway, so why not???

Because federal law strictly prohibits it and if you slip up, your right to carry is gone forever.

[Aresye]

The official business portion is not regarding whether or not you're doing, "post-office stuff." Carrying on official business is regarding LEO/MIL members who are on duty, and therefore have a right to carry their weapon with them into a federal building.

If in doubt...ask. If I have a question regarding a concealed carry law, I'll research it, and if that doesn't help, I'll try asking a police officer if I run into them at the gas station, or someplace else.

I decided not the carry into a Navy Federal Credit Union, because I figured it says federal in the name, so it must be off-limits. I asked the female cop who was on-duty there, and she told me that it was indeed prohibited. I then was able to ask her about the laws regarding voice recorders, and she was very helpful and friendly about everything.

Be cautious though, when they're on-duty. Be friendly, professional, and depending on the nature of your question, it might be a good idea to have your CCW license ready to display, should they ask. In the end, you're still talking to a cop, so choose your questions and words wisely.

[HootmonSccy]

According to the Florida Gun Attorney Guru who literally writes the book on the subject says...
(My Words) - Post Office carry is a No No..

PITA for me.. I ride a motorcycle most of the time.. So.. What do I do???
Pull my pistol in Public, put the pistol in my saddle bag and leave it unattended while waiting on line at the post office.. Then remove it from my saddle bag, and reinsert into my holster??? Really..
Thankfully I don't go to the Post Office often and I usually take the car if I KNOW that I'm stopping there.

[Glock Fan]

The official business portion is not regarding whether or not you're doing, "post-office stuff." Carrying on official business is regarding LEO/MIL members who are on duty, and therefore have a right to carry their weapon with them into a federal building.

If in doubt...ask. If I have a question regarding a concealed carry law, I'll research it, and if that doesn't help, I'll try asking a police officer if I run into them at the gas station, or someplace else.

I decided not the carry into a Navy Federal Credit Union, because I figured it says federal in the name, so it must be off-limits. I asked the female cop who was on-duty there, and she told me that it was indeed prohibited. I then was able to ask her about the laws regarding voice recorders, and she was very helpful and friendly about everything.

Be cautious though, when they're on-duty. Be friendly, professional, and depending on the nature of your question, it might be a good idea to have your CCW license ready to display, should they ask. In the end, you're still talking to a cop, so choose your questions and words wisely.

Be careful when asking a police officer or any LEO for "legal advice" as in "is it legal to do _____?" Many LEO aren't clear on the local firearms laws and some very bad things have happened to good people for asking what would seem to be a simple and innocent question. If you want to know what is "legal" in a particular area, find an attorney who is familiar with the firearms laws in that area and ask them. Depending on a LEO for "legal advice" can cost you a lot of time and money, and often times answers from LEO vary from one LEO to another LEO.

As for Navy Federal Credit Union being a "federal" facility, it isn't necessarily a "federal" facility because it has the word "federal" in their name. There are numerous credit unions out there that have the words "Federal Credit Union" in their name. In the case of credit unions, the "FCU" or "Federal Credit Union" simply states the type of business they are, like a "Savings Bank" would be the the ending part of other types of financial institutions.



gf

[theicemanmpls]

2) Whoever shall be found guilty of violating the rules and regulations in this section while on property under the charge and control of the Postal Service is subject to fine of not more than $50 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both. Nothing contained in these rules and regulations shall be construed to abrogate any other Federal laws or regulations of any State and local laws and regulations applicable to any area in which the property is situated.

IMO, according to this paragraph, state law rules. What ever applies to the ice cream store, applies to the post office. IMO.

Thanks for the post redhat.

Hope I am reading this correctly.

[2beararms]

Officially post office carry is PROHIBITED. I asked a postal inspector at a meeting once just to be certain and he was pretty solid in his answer of NO CARRY!

If I can't carry there, I wish they would at least put in a bar, it would make the prohibtion seem to make more sense and would help to pass the amazining amount of time I can spend in line there more enjoyable.

[MADnMO]

Officially post office carry is PROHIBITED. I asked a postal inspector at a meeting once just to be certain and he was pretty solid in his answer of NO CARRY!

If I can't carry there, I wish they would at least put in a bar, it would make the prohibtion seem to make more sense and would help to pass the amazining amount of time I can spend in line there more enjoyable.

There is no law against BYOB at the post office.